AfriGeneas Free Persons of Color Forum

Your suggestions regarding Catholic records are of course the best resource for uncovering information. I remember visiting the web page of the New Orleans Archdiocese and I believe there was a statement about not giving out sacramental information if one wasn't related to the person. Did I misread this?

I am very interested in the Baptisma Nigorum (Mobile) for other clues on family history. You wrote "Look at the Mobile Records, Kankakee (IL) and some Spanish records for early Orleanians of color - as well as the Santo Domingo." Can you tell me more about the Mobile Records? I did an on line search but didn't find it.

My focus is West Florida with Louisiana and Mobile as a second source of research. Historians such as Coker, Inglis and Gould include sacramental records in their research. I have the Spanish Census of Pensacola 1784-1820, which also provides many clues to my family. But I found it equally important to look to their origins which are often linked to New Orleans/Louisiana and Mobile. It includes the Holy Visit to Pensacola 1791 and the Confirmation lists 1798. I never thought that I would say this, but thank goodness for my 12 years of Catholic school. It helped me to understand the significance of the sacramental records. (Wink)

If you need any look-ups including the Spanish Census, please let me know.